Wednesday, 29 April 2015

The second instalment in Viva la Dolce Italian language series, is a proverb which many of us can relate to."Il buongiorno si vede dal mattino" literally means, a good day is foreseen from the morning; figuratively, this phrase means, you can usually tell how something will end, good or bad, by the which in which it begins. For example, if things start off well, then most likely they will end well, and vice versa.This phrase is not only applied when trying to interpret how one's day will go, but is often mentioned when speaking of things such as relationships and projects as well. Italians are known to use the phrase with "se," meaning "if," placed at the the beginning so that it reads, "Se il buongiorno si vede dal mattino..." When used in this way, a statement or joke about something is often being made.

The phrase on this t-shirt jokingly refers to the feeling of wanting to crawl back into bed, go to sleep and avoid dealing with the rest of one's day.

Speaking of buongiorno and buona notte, these are just a couple of examples of Italian salutations. There are a variety of ways to say hello, goodbye, good morning and good night in Italian. Check out the most common below:

Buongiorno ~good morning; hello; goodbye (formal)

Ciao ~ hello; hi; bye (informal)

Salve ~ hi (formal/informal) ; bye (formal/informal)

Buona sera ~ hello; good evening; goodbye (formal)

Buona notte ~ good night (formal/informal) *to be used only at bedtime

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

I recently had the chance to catch up with the incredibly talented makeup artist, Terena Hyma. After years of working for renowned beauty brand, MAC Cosmetics, Terena has now launched her own business, Terena Hyma Makeup Artistry. Having personally worked with her for my own wedding, I can definitely attest that her makeup expertise and professionalism allow for a flawless and stress-free makeup application.

Read on below, as we discuss everything from the latest Spring trends, to must-have products, to the most common beauty mistakes women make!

1. At what age did you decide on a career in makeup artistry and why?

It all started when I was very young, maybe 8 or 9. I always loved playing with my mom's makeup and creating different looks when no one was looking. When I was about 20, I was told that I had some talent in makeup and thought,well why not? I enrolled myself in school and got hired at MAC Cosmetics, and fourteen years later, here I am! I have found love in my work and I'm blessed to be able to make others beautiful in the process.

2. Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Oh goodness, everywhere! A bouquet of flowers, Instagram, magazines, other fellow artists, celebrities. Shows like the Oscars and the Grammys are great for seeing what trends are going to be popular. I love seeing other makeup artists on Instagram use new products; it keeps me excited and in the loop.

3. How would you describe your signature look and what it is about your style that sets you apart from other makeup artists?

My signature look would be "naturally glamourous" : emphasis on the eyes, gorgeous skin, natural contours, soft lips. I think what sets me apart from other makeup artists is my personality and client care. It is imperative for me that my client is happy. I will stay longer, I will change things, and I will ask questions to really find out from my clients what they are looking for. I try not to push looks on my clients unless they are without direction. It's a very personal and intimate service that I provide.

5. When in a rush, what are the makeup "must-dos" before heading out the door?

Even out the skin tone, a bit of blush and some gloss or lipstick. I am a huge fan of "quick and dirty" makeup - the application that literally takes two minutes because you are trying to get the kids out the door or your alarm went off late. Fast, easy and natural. When you have power products you can let them do the heavy work for you and you won't need to wear ten pounds of makeup!

6. What are some common beauty mistakes that women make?

Foundation. Please get a sample and wear it home; look at it in different lighting. Products can oxidize (meaning they change colour and deepen) within 15-20 minutes of application, so what you see in the store under that incredibly harsh lighting might not be what you see at home. Also, eyebrows; with all the crazy tutorials on Youtube and Instagram lately, it's hard for me to see some of the madness happening on some faces. Keep it light and easy, and let your natural beauty shine through!

7. With all your years of experience as a makeup artist, what is the most important beauty advice that you can offer to women?

Take care of your skin. You only have one! Moisturize, tone, exfoliate. Your skin is the canvas for your makeup. Every product you own will look ten times better with well prepared skin.

8. Viva la Dolce is all about celebrating what makes you happy in life! What is your "dolce"?

Happiness makes me most happy! Cheesy, no? I get a high when I cook a meal and my family loves it; when I apply makeup that I'm proud of and my client is estatic; when my kids are happy to see me at the end of the day; when the cashier at the store smiles because I said "hi." I get fulfillment from happiness in others. Spread love and good karma throughout the world; we need more of it!

Monday, 13 April 2015

As you may have figured out by now, I love Italian culture! Being of Italian descent, I have grown up surrounded by not only the culture but the language as well. Through exposure to the language at home and formal study of it at school, my passion and fascination of the language have grown over the years. I'm excited to announce that they have now led me to introduce you to a new series here on Viva la Dolce entitled, "VLD Italian 101."

In this series, I would like to offer you a chance to learn about Italian language and culture through exposure to popular terminology and expressions, including the famous "proverbi" (proverbs). Speaking of which... the series kicks off right now with a famous proverb that teaches us how to stay young!

The above proverb, or proverbio, "a tavola non s'invecchià" literally means, "one does not grow old at the table." This popular saying refers to the Italian value of sharing meals together, and how this practice enriches our lives. After the recent Easter holiday, I thought this was most appropriate!

For Italians, sharing a meal is like sharing one's heart. It is no secret that Italian's take pride in creating delicious meals and feeding those they love. It makes sense then that one of the most important traditions in Italian culture is family mealtime at the dinner table. The table is the place where stories are told, important matters are discussed and sometimes, even a little bit of music and dancing occurs! Overall, it is a wonderful spectacle and a place where memories are created. Italian meals can last hours, but it is this slow, luxurious indulgence in time which makes the sharing at the "tavola" all that more special. This proverb reminds us that as you spend time with those you love around a table with good food and drink, you are not wasting away hours of your life but instead, are adding value and substance to them. The time spent leaves your soul rejuvenated, your heart full and your tummy satisfied. I'm looking forward to my next family gathering! Hope you are too!
Enjoy and Bon appetito!